The Pete Dye course at the Colleton River Plantation Club appeared six years after the Nicklaus layout debuted at the same location. The front nine plays through woodland with the back nine occupying more open terrain amongst marshlands. Only two of the par four holes (at the 1st and 14th) measure less than 400 yards from the back markers on a course that can be stretched to over 7,400 yards for tournament play.

Highlight holes include strong par fours at the 9th (where the green is protected on the right by a large waste bunker), the 15th (which sweeps left to the target from the tee) and the 490-yard 18th, a closing hole that also veers to the left around a lake. Par threes at the 146-yard 13th and 232-yard 17th offer contrasting short hole challenges.

In advance of the US Junior Amateur Championships on the Pete Dye course in 2015, the architect visited the club. According to Al Theiss, the tournament general chairman, Mr Dye announced that the course was the best he had ever built, with Theiss pointing out that the layout was typical of the master designer as it was both visually intimidating and mentally challenging.

Theiss told the tale about a modification Dye made to the 14th hole, where a large fairway bunker was reduced in size. When asked if he thought this would make the hole easier, Mr Dye responded by saying that golfers no longer worried about the bunker would be more likely to take a chance, hit the ball longer and end up in the marsh. "His genius is enticing better players into taking a risk they don't understand," said Theiss.

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Reviews for Colleton River Plantation (Pete Dye)

Average Reviewers Score:

Description: The Pete Dye course at the Colleton River Plantation Club appeared six years after the Nicklaus layout debuted at the same location.Written by:Top100 Aggregated RatingRating:8
out of 10
Reviews: 2

Fergal O'Leary

December 22, 2015

A great venue for the 2015 USGA Junior Amateur tournament. Pete Dye continues to impress me with what he can do with a flat piece of land. Furthermore, for amateur golfers who think they can bomb driver off every tee, there are more treacherous bunkers and hazards lurking around this property than people realise. I can never tell what type of mood Pete was in when he designed his bunkers. They are the most unusual looking sand-traps of all shapes and sizes - which are signature features of this iconic architect. It’s like himself and Alice went to the moon for a long weekend and came back to earth with the mindset that their bunkers needed to look like a lunar landscape being attacked by asteroids. Pete is constantly experimenting and often builds courses which are way ahead of their time. At the Colleton River (Dye) course, you’ll scratch your head trying to justify the placement of certain bunkers, but god only knows that golf balls can fly in many different directions! Members will tell you that the best (and most visually pleasing) holes are the stretch from 12 through 18 where the marsh and river come into play. Although the low-country land is flat, the shaping and man-made raised features with strong lines keep your imagination guessing. Pete has been quoted as saying that this is the best course he ever built, but I’ll gently suggest that he was under the influence at the time. It’s an enjoyable course with lots of fun shots, and a wonderful contrast to the Nicklaus course, which only adds to the overall top notch experience at the Colleton River Club. Those visiting the Hilton Head area should jump at the opportunity to play both courses.

A member very kindly arranged for our group of seven golfers from the U.K. on holiday in South Carolina to play at the wonderful private members course. The first nine holes wind their way through a tight tree-lined estate where accuracy off the tee was paramount to allow any sort of a shot into the well-guarded greens. The course really got interesting after the turn when we played out along the low-lying marshland. With at least a 2 shot wind blowing, holes 10 through 14 were particularly challenging. Our party included members of Royal St. George's, St. Enodoc and Royal Cinque Ports. Well all thoroughly enjoyed the experience on a very well presented course with superbly prepared greens. We also received a very hospitable welcome in the well appointed club house.